handheld GPS

phishroy

phishroy

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Durham region
Looking into buying a handheld GPS that has topo maps in it. Im having trouble with narrowing down my options, so many brands to choose from and so many options and nick nacks that I don’t think ill ever use.


The basic criteria tha im looking for would be:
Waterproof (not going scuba diving with it but would need to work in rain).
Have accurate topo maps.
Durable in the outdoors. Mud, Temp’ variances, snow etc
Long battery life.

Any one have any recommendations? Pros cons etc’.
Thank you.
 
It's covered pretty well in a couple different posts over in the Gear and Accessories forum.

Take a good look at the Garmin HCx line.

Go to the Gear and accessories forum and search "gps" and a pile of threads are there.

Cheers
Trev
 
x3 on the Garmin, I bought a 60csx back in the spring, it was a refurbished unit from GPScentral. A month back is started acting up. Sent it in for repairs. Just yesterday got a brand knew unit. Great service.
 
I bought the 76csx from ww w. gpscentral.ca. They have the 60csx new for 369.99, of refurbished ones for 339.99. I don't know how critical this is to you, but in the specs on their website, the 60csx is water resistant, the 76 series is the only one that states it's waterproof. I'm sure the water resistant standards are pretty high though... I bought the 76 csx mainly because it floats, since I spend so much time on the ice, I'd hate to loose one down the hole!!! Check their website out, it's very well set up, easy to navigate, and has a ton of info.
 
I bought my Garmin 76Cx from a forestry compnay I use to work for, it was on sale this summer (they have an online store kbm.on.ca, click on sales), as part of the package they included the maps.

I always used a compass and paper map but was pleasently surprised how much walking the GPS saved me. I did a lot of bush whacking this year moose hunting and saved myself alot of time by not having to backtrack.
 
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+1 for Garmin
I used to have a Magellan Meridian Color before (I bought it when the price was still around $800 :eek:) but the difference is like night and day. The Garmin is just soooooo much better. The 60CSx is slowly fading out but it's still a great unit. The Canada topo map could be better quality with more details. IMO it's just good enough for every day use.
 
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Yep, Garmin is the way to go.

I bought the 76CSx, just over a year ago and it works great.

A pard bought the Legend HCx and although the screen is smaller, it is a compact little unit that works well too.
 
GO Garmin!!! ;)

Plus there are some free TOPO maps for Canada that you can upload to your Garmin.. (Saves you $100-$200 in extra software costs for the topo maps) check out http:// www.ibycus.com

I use the 530 Rhino which has the built in GMRS radio..
 
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The biggest problem I find with topo maps on my GPS (and maps for that matter) is that here in south eastern Ontario, all the maps seem to be 5 meter topo lines. Well that might be useful in terrain that has big ridges, but in farm country it shows you very little.

I talked to the local map store owner and he said they are limited to the maps that are available from the goberment so 5 meters is the best you can get.

I have seen it where I am standing in front of a 15 foot high ridge and it does not even show on the map or on the GPS since it is less than 5 meters difference compared to the surrounding terrain.

Depends where you are hunting I guess, but for the rolling terrain of SE Ontario, I find its usefulness limited for finding terrain details that would help in finding good terrain funnels, etc.
 
I love my 60CX. If for waterproof you're concerned with rain, no problems, but if your thinking open water seal up your GPS in something else despite what the specs say. (speaking from experience)
 
ckc123 said:
GO Garmin!!! ;)

Plus there are some free TOPO maps for Canada that you can upload to your Garmin.. (Saves you $100-$200 in extra software costs for the topo maps) check out http:// www.ibycus.com

I use the 530 Rhino which has the built in GMRS radio..
Click to expand...

I am considering the Rhino 530. Do the other people also have to have them in order to be able to talk to one another? Will I be able to communicate with people that have those cheap radios that are found in stores such as cambodian tire.
Will I be able to also use this model in my car for roads, directions etc or is it terrain only?
 
i've got the rhino 120 and love it . i've used it for years. its nice when others in your party have rhino's because of the feature that shows you where they are when they cue their mike.. on the downside the screen isn't color nor is it very big, but its relatively cheap and works great with a headset and mike.

my 2 cents.
 
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